Deputies Bond Out After Turning Themselves In On Criminal Charges
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POMPANO BEACH (CBSMiami) --Three Broward Sheriff's deputies have bonded out after turning themselves in on Wednesday to face criminal charges.
Broward Sheriff's Office (BSO) deputies said Reginald Arteta, 29; Alberto Ferreras, 31; and Troy Wilkins, 49, are charged with misconduct and unlawful compensation or reward for official behavior.
Ferreras and Wilkins are also charged with tampering with a witness and the unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
By late Wednesday evening, all three deputies had bonded out of jail.
The charges come after the Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco contacted BSO in 2014, accusing the deputies of allowing the Pink Pony gentlemen's club in Pompano Beach to remain open longer than its license permitted. They also accused them of covering up illegal drug use.
The tip prompted an investigation which involved undercover surveillance of the business.
Investigators said they found the three deputies were paid in cash to work as security at the club and also got paid more when the club remained opened past the permitted time of 2 a.m.
During the investigation, Ferreras and Wilkins allegedly told witnesses that they should only admit to investigators that they were present at the club but never received compensation.
BSO Sheriff Scott Israel spoke on the matter Tuesday saying, "I have said before that no one is above the law, and there are consequences when deputies cross the line. These arrests show BSO is committed to holding employees to the highest standards and proactively addressing misconduct whenever it is discovered."
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